Review: 8
out of 10 Bossanova,
the Pixies' fourth album, released in August 1990, was a dramatic departure
from their previous work. Steeped in surf music and science fiction,
Bossanova's
clean production is about as far from Surfer Rosa as possible.
The Pixies' prove their versatility, though, as it as an excellent album.
"Cecilia Ann" is the band's first instrumental, followed by the powerhouse
"Rock Music". "Velouria" would be the album's first single followed
by "Dig for Fire". Power pop best describes
Bossanova, and
this is exemplified in "Allison", "All Over the World", and "Down to the
Well". "The Happening" is Black Francis' first song about aliens,
a common theme on the next Pixies' record, as well as his Frank Black records.
Always ahead of the times, Francis mentions Area 51 long before it entered
the pop vocabulary. Bossanova is often overlooked because
it is sandwiched betweed Doolittle and the Pixies' final album,
but if given a chance, it is a quite rewarding album.
Velouria
1. Velouria
2. I've Been
Waiting for You
3. Make Believe
4. The Thing
Dig
for Fire
1. Dig for
Fire
2. Winterlong
3. Velvety
Instrumental Version
4. Santo